NZ bluegrass explorers, You, Me, Everybody unveil “Busy Without Me” — a bright, upbeat nod to those of us who spend our lives running the itinerary, only to realise we sometimes need to step off the schedule. Released to announce the band’s forthcoming album Midnight, due out 30 January 2026, “Busy Without Me” adds a playful, free-wheeling spirit to the new record.
Building on the momentum of his first single Horizon (released in November), Te Tara o Te Ika/Coromandel artist Matt Sephton releases “The Sky,” a storm-charged electronic piece carrying a sense of lift, movement, and elemental force.
Auckland pop-soul artist Verity returns with her boldest statement yet in her new single, “Out of My Head,” a raw and unapologetic story of finally stepping away from chaos and choosing peace. Known for her powerful vocals and honest songwriting, Verity once again brings her heart to the forefront — this time capturing the moment when clarity arrives after a long, toxic relationship has taken too much.
Renowned Grey Lynn, Central Auckland-raised rapper Diggy Dupé has returned with Brown Velvet EP, a new project made in collaboration with producer choicevaughan and arriving just in time for the Aotearoa summer season, out today via DRM.
Caru and Brandn Shiraz return with 'Two for Two', closing out the year with their finest work yet. Recently praised by Rolling Stone as “one of the best EPs of the year”. This new sharp dual-sided release pairs Caru’s slick production alongside Brandn Shiraz’s unmistakable and raw MC energy.
20-year-old pop artist Liberty peels back the layers of heartbreak in her new single “Call Me Back, Babe” a stripped-back acoustic-pop track that spirals through the emotional chaos of wanting someone who’s already let go.
After shooting to the top of the charts last month with her recent single, ‘COOL’, PRINS is back with another absolute banger, ‘HEAVEN OR HELL’. The driving, pop track infused with liquid drum and bass is also the title for her hotly anticipated EP, due out in 2026. Watch this space!
Off the back of last month's cathartic single release ‘Necklace’, West Auckland post-surf rockers Double Parked have shared another new single, ‘Buttercup’. Drenched in distorting reverb, gritty guitar riffs, and heavy drums, ‘Buttercup’ jolts with anxious and urgent energy, meshing half-spoken, half-sung verses with a raucous, high-charged hook.
Amy marks Emerson’s fifth collaboration with producer Harry Charles and her sixth release of 2025. Their partnership has already delivered four singles that charted on the NZ Hot 20, including her breakout track You Really Must Hate Me, which passed 100,000 Spotify streams, was spotlighted by Beats Per Minute (US), and secured four Spotify Editorial placements.
Today, songwriter Miles Calder shares new single ‘Go Slow’ and accompanying music video. As the latest single from his forthcoming Keeping Up EP, ‘Go Slow’ continues Miles’ collaboration with producer Samuel Flynn Scott (The Phoenix Foundation) and Tui-award winning engineer Lee Prebble (The Phoenix Foundation, L.A.B, The Black Seeds), recording and mixing the song at his studio The Surgery.
Following the release of their fourth album, Ōtautahi’s own Pickle Darling reemerges with crumple zones, a companion EP that reimagines and expands the sonic world of Bots. Following a track record of acclaim — from 2023’s Laundromat, featured in Rolling Stone AU/NZ’s “80 Best New Zealand Albums of the Decade So Far,” to 2025’s praised Bots — the EP affirms Lukas Mayo’s reputation as one of Aotearoa’s most inventive indie-pop voices.
Te Karanga Trust is proud to announce a special one-night event with Sony Music Group’s annual Season of Giving initiative, celebrating youth, creativity, and community connection. The event will take place at The Button Factory in Auckland, home to Te Karanga’s fortnightly youth programme DOJO, a creative safe space for emerging young artists to learn, grow, and perform.
When Israel Starr (Ngāti Porou ) teams up with his father, the legendary Mighty Asterix, the result is something truly special. Their new single, “Special Selection”, is a powerful celebration of family, legacy, and reggae culture.
Wellington hip hop artist Will McClean steps into a new era with the release of his double single “BOOK OF LIFE / UP”, arriving today. The project marks the first official release featuring his full live band, building chemistry on stages across New Zealand and turning these songs into crowd favourites long before they were ever recorded.
Turning to Hip Hop and RnB, featuring SWIDT, Diggy Dupē, Tom Scott, Melodownz, MokoMokai, and Mā. The record continues Kingi’s practice of deep collaboration and documentation of genre, flexing his producer skills while highlighting the strength and breadth of Aotearoa’s contemporary music scene.
“Movin’ Cautious” marks a rare collision of two of Aotearoa’s most forward thinking musical minds: Rapper and rhythm theorist Mazbou Q, and prog-metal guitarist/composer ATU. The pair deliver a sound that sits well outside the boundaries of either genre, fusing prog’s razor-edged guitar precision with modern trap-leaning drums and melodic hooks.
Zoe Scott is an indie folk artist based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, blending haunting vocals with cinematic soundscapes. Her latest single ‘Burn the Witch’ is a stirring anthem of rebirth through pain — a haunting journey of power and vulnerability for fans of Maggie Rogers, Adrianne Lenker, and Florence + The Machine.
Aotearoa Music Awards Producer of the Year Nic Manders returns with his new single “Walking Slowly”; a contemplative and immersive track born from a quiet moment amidst the busyness.
A ‘who’s who’ of Pasifika artists and music producers have come together on a powerful project aimed at revitalising the Pacific’s most vulnerable and endangered languages. HIVA FOLAU VAKA - Vaka Carrying Music is a legacy project of the Pacific Music Awards Trust, nurturing the creation of new songs in Pacific languages, as part of the 20th anniversary of the Pacific Music Awards.
‘Be A Little Kinder’, the debut album by Pōneke-based alt-rock outfit Dropper, is available now, via Bigpop Records’ boutique label Particle Recordings.
Artist and multi-instrumentalist today shares dream, if you please, the second single from a larger body of work quietly taking shape. A tender alternative R&B lament wrapped in electronic soundscapes and emotive haze, the track floats like a dream you can almost touch, blurred at the edges but impossible to forget.
Christmas is the perfect time to re-envision an Xmas song to bring good cheer to folks and raise funds for charity to boot. Reb Fountain shares Christmas in Wellington; a poignant reimagining of Steve Earle’s classic, ‘Christmas in Washington’.
Chanelle & Friends are bringing the barn dance to the backyard this summer with their new single Creature Groove. Featuring legendary kiwi icons The Topp Twins, powerhouse vocals from Tami Neilson, and a hoedown-worthy fiddle solo from Marian Burns, the track is a riot of rhythm, humour, and heart — a toe-tapping celebration that invites everyone, big or small, to get up and dance.
Internationally acclaimed vocalist and lyricist Tali is back with a powerful new single, “Life on the Line” - a vibrant, emotionally resonant liquid drum & bass anthem that signals a bold new chapter in her artistic journey.
New Zealand singer songwriter Sylvee continues to redefine her sound with the release of ‘Before I Met You’ an emotive country-pop track featuring Sam Heselwood, out November 21.
Following the emotional depth of her recent single “Tend to Your Wounds,” Aotearoa indie artist Lavvender returns with “Candid” - a brighter, more upbeat chapter that pairs self-reflection with a summery, free-spirited sound. Produced by Ben Woolford, “Candid” shimmers with a jaunty 6/8 groove and jangling guitars reminiscent of The Sundays and Fleetwood Mac.
Te Whanganui-a-Tara’s BADTAB are carving out their own kaleidoscopic corner of the music world. Weaving together synthesisers and swirling guitar strums with rock-inflected, jazz inspired drum beats, BADTAB creates a unique and refreshing sound.
Country/Folk Musician Jenny Mitchell, has wrapped up a meteoric year with 2 x Golden Guitar nominations in the Alt Americana Album of the Year and Toyota Album of the Year categories – for her album ‘Forest House’ (released via Melbourne based label Civilians). Australia’s 54th annual Golden Guitar Awards will take place at the Tamworth Country Music Festival on Saturday 24 January 2026 and Jenny is set to celebrate her milestone year with a special Capitol Theatreperformance on Wed 21 Jan, with Australian singer-songwriter Dingo.
Greta O’Leary releases the latest piece of visuals from her breakthrough new album, River Dark this Thursday 20th November. So Lucky is a slow burn, blues-injected confession. Death and spiritual dread are brought to life in the arid landscapes of Greta’s River Dark universe.
Pōrirua-based songwriter Tavita De Seymour returns with Diamond & Balloon, the second EP from Tavita & Bay Road. It follows their 2024 debut with a set of songs that feel clearer in tone and more assured in their simplicity.
